Babywearing How to: Stretchy Wrap with Shoulder Flip (Slow Tutorial with Newborn)

Stretchy wraps are great carriers for newborns! Watch and learn from Mama & Roo's babywearing educator Amanda (and the sweetest newborn baby model!). This is a great option to make a stretchy wrap comfortable and cozy.
First, find the middle marker and place it in the center of your chest. Then, cross the straps behind your back.
Pull the straps tight and bunch the horizontal pass across your chest up into a more condensed pass. Adjust so that this fabric is where you want your baby's bottom to be, remembering that you want them to end up "close enough to kiss." Stretchy wraps are STRETCHY - don't be afraid to tighten more! You can always loosen a little if you need to. You want to leave just enough room to snuggle your baby in place. The less slack once baby is in, the better!
Now, take the two tails (ends of straps) that you crossed behind your back and tuck them under the horizontal band of fabric you've just bunched. The vertical straps will be closest to your body. Make sure the fabric is even and not twisted.
Cross the two arm straps, forming an "X" under the horizontal strap. This "x" is where your baby's bottom will sit. Adjust the passes again accordingly to keep baby at the right height once they are in. Bring the crossed tails behind you and tie a double knot.
Pick up baby and put them on your shoulder. Whichever pass is closest to your body, you will put your baby into that one first. Gently bounce baby into place on the crossed straps and be sure you are happy with where that positioning is.. Don't be afraid to take your time and let baby settle in! When this step is done well, you'll be able to lift each fabric pass over baby and it will feel like a perfect fit! Just tight enough to squeeze them in and keep them positioned. Remember, with a newborn we are really trying to wrap around baby's natural (adorable!) curled up state.
Starting with the inner layer again, start to pull across baby. For a shoulder flip, take the furthest rail (fabric edge) of that panel layer and tuck it under the pass, using this edge to cover baby from knee to opposite knee and all the way up to the opposite shoulder. Shoulder flips are a nice way to get a tighter, more secure carry, and are comfortable for many! It also keeps the fabric out of baby's face - a common challenge for new babywearers using stretchy wraps.
Do the same thing on the other side, making sure your baby is supported from knee to knee and supported in their natural curve. Gentle bouncing is a great way to settle baby into the carry and make sure everything is supporting as it should. Don't be afraid to adjust baby until you both are comfortable!
Almost done! Find the horizontal pass tucked under your baby. Put baby's legs through. Use the top rail (edge) of the horizontal pass to pull up over baby. This third layer is very important - stretchy wraps need 3 passes to be safe and secure, unlike woven wraps. You want to be sure baby is supported up to the base of the neck but no higher than the base of their ear.
This horizontal layer can cover baby's feet if you'd like, so long as baby's weight is still being properly supported on their bottom from the cross passes. Otherwise, you can tuck it under their knees.
If you have any extra slack, just feed it into the knot behind you and re-tie if necessary. A beginner is more likely to have more slack than someone who has had a lot of practice, and that's okay! Keep practicing and you'll be a pro before you know it =).
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